Fix Microsoft Project Non-Working Days Not Appearing in Gantt Chart
Question details
The user needs to make custom non-working periods and vacations visible in the Gantt chart and ensure they properly affect task durations.
- Product
- Microsoft Project
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up project timelines and applying vacation times or non-working days using the Change Working Time calendar feature.
- Observed behavior
- Non-working periods are successfully added in the Change Working Time calendar but fail to appear in the Gantt Chart display and do not affect the scheduled durations of tasks.
Before proceeding, ensure you have saved your current project. It is highly advised not to directly modify the built-in 'Standard' calendar, as this can cause display and synchronization issues; always create a custom calendar instead.
Apply Your Custom Calendar to the Gantt Chart Timescale
Configure the Gantt Chart timescale settings to recognize and display the newly created custom calendar instead of the default Standard calendar.
Even if you have defined non-working days in a custom calendar, the Gantt Chart visual display defaults to the Standard calendar until you explicitly tell it otherwise.
Right-click anywhere on the timescale header (the dates at the top of the Gantt Chart) and select 'Timescale' from the context menu, or simply double-click the timescale header.
In the Timescale dialog box, click on the 'Non-working time' tab located at the top.
Locate the 'Calendar' drop-down menu and change it from 'Standard' to your uniquely named custom calendar that contains the accurate non-working days. Click 'OK' to apply the changes.
Adjust the Gantt Chart Zoom Level
Zoom in on the Gantt chart to reveal non-working days that may be hidden due to a high-level timescale view.
Manage Project Timelines Easily with WPS Office
If Microsoft Project feels overly complex or you encounter frequent display configuration issues, consider switching to WPS Spreadsheet. You can easily manage project timelines, create professional Gantt charts using built-in templates, and collaborate with your team without the steep learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't I just modify the built-in Standard calendar in Microsoft Project?
Modifying the built-in Standard calendar can cause synchronization issues, especially when you share your .mpp file with other users whose systems have the default Standard calendar, or if you reinstall the software. Creating a custom calendar prevents these conflicts.
Why are my task durations still ignoring the non-working days?
If task durations ignore non-working days, the tasks might be using 'Elapsed' durations (e.g., entered as 'edays' instead of 'days'), or the specific task may have a different calendar assigned that overrides the project calendar. Double-check the Task Information settings.
How do I assign a specific custom calendar to an individual task?
Double-click the task to open the Task Information dialog box. Go to the 'Advanced' tab, locate the 'Calendar' drop-down list, and select your custom calendar. You can also check 'Scheduling ignores resource calendars' if you want the task calendar to take strict priority.
